Download Healthcare Math: Using the Metric System

Healthcare Math:
Using the Metric System
Industry: Healthcare
Content Area: Mathematics
Core Topics: Using the metric system, converting measurements within and between the metric and
US customary systems, using ratios and proportions, using decimals, solving multi-step problems
Objective: Students will be able to convert measurements within and between the metric and US
customary systems, perform mathematical operations with measurements, and express
measurements using the correct unit notations.
Materials included:
Instructor’s notes
Scenario: Medical Assistant
Student worksheets
Handouts
Quiz
Answer Keys
Industry Overview:
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the healthcare industry is expected to generate over 20%
of all new jobs created in the U.S. economy between 2012 and 2022. * The healthcare industry is
comprised of a vast array of jobs, ranging from nursing assistants to physicians. Mathematics and
literacy skills are essential for students who plan to pursue a career in this field. The metric system is
the most widely used measurement system in the world; it is also the primary measurement system
used in the medical field. Healthcare professionals, including medical assistants, must have the
ability to convert units of measurement within and between the metric and US customary systems.
They must also be able to perform accurate calculations with measurements and express the results
with the correct unit notations.
* Source: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecopro.t06.htm
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Instructor’s notes:

The purpose of this module is to help students develop and apply math skills in a healthcare
workplace setting. The learning activities were designed to be incorporated throughout
multiple instructional periods as math concepts are taught in a healthcare context.

After completing the module, students should be able to:
o Identify metric and customary units of measurement and their abbreviations
o Convert units of measurement within and between the metric and customary systems
o Solve multi-step measurement problems

Setting the stage: Provide students with background information about the typical
responsibilities of a medical assistant. You may want to have students use the occupational
outlook handbook, O*NET and/or other relevant websites to research the job responsibilities,
educational/training requirements, salary, etc. for this position. . In addition, you could have
students view a YouTube video depicting the typical responsibilities of a medical assistant.
(See links below)
Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Outlook Handbook:
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/
Occupational Information Network (O*NET)
http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-9092.00
A day in the life of a medical assistant
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jbS5bLzQoU

For Activity 1: Introduce students to the metric system of measurement by having students
measure various objects in the classroom with both customary and metric measuring devices
for comparison and discussion purposes. Give students a copy of Handout 1 and explain the
metric prefixes, values, abbreviations and equivalents. Show students how to use the shortcut
method of moving the decimal point from one unit to another to convert metric measurements.
Work several examples with the students and have them practice this skill independently. You
may also want to show them alternative conversion methods, such as multiplying and dividing
by powers of 10, using a conversion factor, or using a proportion. Provide additional practice
as needed. Have students complete Worksheet 1.

For Activity 2: Give students a copy of Handout 2 and explain US customary measurements,
values, abbreviations, and equivalents. Discuss the approximate equivalents between metric
and US customary measurements. Work the scenario examples with students.
Answers to practice problems: 3 cups; 3 T; 113.6 kg; 5 days. Have students complete
Worksheet 2.

For Activity 3: Demonstrate how to add, subtract, multiply and divide metric units. Work
examples with students. A few have been included in the scenario; provide additional practice
as needed. Answers to practice problems: 4.5L; 8500mL; 10L; 14.2L; 7.75L; 6L; 13 btls;
2100mL; 2.1L; 8.1LHave students complete Worksheet 3.

Assessment: Quiz – Measurements and calculations
2
Workplace Scenario:
You are a medical assistant working at a clinic in a large metropolitan area. Currently, you are
training Sam, a new employee who has just joined the staff. Sam is taking classes in order to
prepare for admission to the medical assistant program at a local community college. You are
helping Sam learn some of the skills he will need as a medical assistant.
Activity 1: Understanding the metric system
This week, you are teaching Sam about the metric system of measurement. You give him a copy of
Handout 1 to help him learn about the metric system, the most widely used measurement system in
the world. In addition, it is the primary system of measurement used in the medical field. The metric
system is based on powers of 10 and there are three base units:
The gram (g) is the metric base unit of weight.
The liter (L) is the metric base unit for volume.
The meter (m) is the metric base unit for length.
You tell Sam that he will need to be able to convert units of measurement within the metric system.
He will also need to learn the correct abbreviations for the most commonly used measurement units.
The first chart on Handout 1 shows the relationship between the units of metric measurement. From
left to right, the units are in order from largest to smallest. Using a mnemonic device, such as “King
Harry died from a disease called malaria,” will help Sam remember the order. The second chart on
Handout 1 shows some common metric units with their abbreviations and equivalencies.
A short cut method to convert from one metric unit to another is to draw a line and label it with the
prefixes, as shown below; you can then write in the base you are working with: gram, liter, or meter.
Kilo------Hecto------Deca-----[base]------Deci------Centi------Milli
Next, draw an arrow from the prefix you are starting with to the prefix you want to convert to, stopping
and counting each prefix as you go. This is the number of places and direction you move the decimal
point in your starting number. To change from a larger unit to a smaller unit, move the decimal point
to the right. For example, to convert 5 kilograms into milligrams, you would move the decimal point
six places to the right, as shown in the diagram below.
Kilo------Hecto------Deca------gram------Deci------Centi------Milli
5 kg = _ 5,000,000 mg_
To change from a smaller unit to a larger unit, you move the decimal point to the left. If you want to
convert 2500 milliliters into liters, you would move the arrow (decimal point) three places to the left.
Kilo------Hecto------Deca-----liters------Deci------Centi------Milli
2500 mL = _ 2.5 L_
Note: As you move the decimal point to the right, you are actually multiplying by a power of 10 and
as you move the decimal point to the left, you are dividing by a power of 10.
5 kg x 1,000,000 = _5,000,000 mg_
and
3
2500 mL ÷ 1000 = _ 2.5 L_
Handout 1
Metric measurement chart
Prefix
Kilo-
Weight
kilogram
gram
Volume
kiloliter
liter
Length
kilometer
Value to
Base
1000
Hecto-
Deca-
Base Unit
Deci-
10
Millimilligram
deciliter
meter
100
Centi-
1
milliliter
centimeter
millimeter
0.01
0.001
0.1
The most common prefixes and values used in healthcare are highlighted in yellow.
Another common healthcare prefix is micro = one millionth or 0.000001 of the base unit
One way to remember the order of metric units for conversions is to use a mnemonic device such as:
King
Harry
Died
from a
Kilo
hector
deca
(base)
Disease
Called
deci
centi
Malaria
milli
Common healthcare metric units with abbreviations and equivalents
Unit
Abbreviation
Equivalents
Weight
gram (base unit)
milligram
microgram
kilogram
g
mg
mcg
kg
1 g = 1000 mg = 1,000,000 mcg
0.001 g = 1 mg = 1,000 mcg
0.000001 g = 0.001 mg = 1mcg
1 kg = 1000 g
Volume
liter (base unit)
deciliter
milliliter
L
dL
mL
1 L = 1000 mL
0.1 L = 1 dL
0.001 L = 1 mL
Length
meter (base unit)
centimeter
millimeter
m
cm
mm
1 m = 100 cm = 1000 mm
0.01 m = 1 cm = 10 mm
0.001 m = 0.1 cm = 1 mm
4
Worksheet 1: Metric Measurements & Conversions
Name: __________________
Give the metric prefix for the following parts of the base units.
1. 0.001 ___________________
3. 0.01 ________________
2. 0.000001 ________________
4. 1000 ________________
Identify the metric base unit for the following.
5. Length ____________
6. Volume ____________
7. Weight ____________
Write the correct abbreviation for each of the following units.
8. kilogram ______
10. liter ______
12. millimeter ______
14. gram ______
9. meter ______
11. milligram ______
13. centimeter ______
15. microgram ______
Which is larger? Circle the correct answer.
16. milligram or kilogram
17. centimeter or millimeter
18. milliliter or liter
Convert the following as indicated.
19. 4500 mL = __________ L
24. 2.5 g = __________ mg
20. 500 mg = ____________ g
25. 40.5 cm = _________ mm
21. 0.04 L = _____________mL
26. 3 mg = ___________ mcg
22. 800 mL = _____________ L
27. 1.2 g = ___________ mg
23. 2 kg = _______________g
28. 1.5 L = ____________mL
Questions 29 & 30: The doctor prescribes 500 mg of Amoxicillin to be taken 4 times per day.
29. What is the maximum number of milligrams per day? __________mg
30. What is the maximum number of grams per day? _________g
5
Activity 2: US Customary Measurements & Converting between Systems
You tell Sam that he will also need to learn some customary household measurements and their
equivalents. Although these measurements are seldom used in a medical setting, they are
sometimes used when giving patients instructions for administering medications at home. You give
Sam a copy of Handout 2. Chart one has a list of some customary household measurements with
their abbreviations and equivalents. Chart two has a list of customary measurements with their
approximate metric equivalents. Unlike metric units, household measurements are not based on the
decimal system. Therefore, other methods must be used to convert these units of measurement.
One method to convert customary units of measurement is to use a proportion. A proportion is two
equal ratios. A ratio is a fraction that makes a comparison between two numbers. For example, you
need to know how many tablespoons (T) are equal to 3 fluid ounces (fl oz). If you look at the
equivalency chart, you find that 1 fl oz = 2 T. Use this information to set up a proportion. To solve a
proportion, cross multiply and solve for x, as shown below. Remember to use labels and keep like
units across from each other when setting up a proportion.
1 𝑓𝑙 𝑜𝑧
3 𝑓𝑙 𝑜𝑧
=
2𝑇
𝑥𝑇
Cross multiply
(1)x = (2)(3)
Solve: x = 6
3 fl oz = 6 T
How many cups are equal to 24 ounces? Set up a proportion to calculate the number of cups.
8𝑓𝑙 𝑜𝑧
1 𝑐𝑢𝑝
=
24 𝑓𝑙 𝑜𝑧
𝑥 𝑐𝑢𝑝𝑠
(8)x = (1)(24)
8x = 24
x = 24 ÷ 8
24 oz = _____cups
You can also use the proportion method to convert units between measurement systems.
One of the clinic doctors gives a patient a bottle of liquid medication with orders to take 45 mL three
times a day. You tell Sam he will need to calculate the number of tablespoons the patient needs to
take for one dose of the medication. Sam uses the equivalency of 1 T = 15 mL from the chart to set
up a proportion and calculate the correct number of tablespoons per dose.
15 𝑚𝐿
1𝑇
=
45 𝑚𝐿
𝑥𝑇
15(x) = (1)(45)
15x = 45
x = 45 ÷ 15
45 mL = _______T
The doctor is prescribing medication for a patient based on weight in kilograms. The patient weighs
250 pounds. You tell Sam to use a proportion and convert the patient’s weight into kilograms,
rounding to the nearest tenths place, if necessary. 250 lb = _________kg
Some problems will require multiple conversions and steps. Example: A child is taking 24 mL of
medication 4 times per day. If the full bottle contains 16 fluid ounces of the medication, how many
days will the bottle last?
Step 1: Calculate the total mL per day. 24 mL/dose x 4 times per day = 96 mL/day
Step 2: Convert 96 mL into ounces.
30 𝑚𝐿
1 𝑓𝑙 𝑜𝑧
=
96 𝑚𝐿
𝑥 𝑓𝑙 𝑜𝑧
30x = 96
96 ÷ 30 = 3.2 fl oz/day
Step 3: Calculate the number of days a 16 fl oz bottle will last if 3.2 fl oz/day are taken.
3.2 𝑓𝑙 𝑜𝑧
1 𝑑𝑎𝑦
=
16 𝑓𝑙 𝑜𝑧
𝑥 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠
3.2x = 16
16 ÷ 3.2 = ______days
6
Handout 2:
Customary Household Measurements
Unit
Abbreviation
drops
gtts
teaspoon
t
tablespoon
T
ounce (fluid)
fl oz
cup
cup
pint
pt
quart
qt
ounce (weight)
oz
pound
lb
inches
in
feet
ft
yard
yd
Approximate Equivalents
1 t = 5 mL = 60 gtts
1 T = 3 t = 15 mL = ½ fl oz
1 fl oz = 30 mL = 6 t
1 L = 1 qt = 32 fl oz = 2 pt = 4 cups
1 pt = 16 fl oz = 2 cups
1 cup = 8 fl oz = 240 mL
1 kg = 2.2 lb
1 in = 2.5 = cm
7
Equivalents
1 t = 60 gtts
1T=3t
1 fl oz = 2 T
1 cup = 8 fl oz
1 pt = 2 cups = 16 fl oz
1 qt = 2 pt = 4 cups = 32 fl oz
16oz = 1 lb
12 in = 1 ft
1 yd = 3 ft = 36 in
Worksheet 2: Converting Measurements
Name: _________________
Write the abbreviation or term as indicated for each of the following.
1. pint _________
4. T ________________
2. pound _______
5. qt ________________
3. drops ________
6. fl oz ______________
Complete the following equivalencies.
7. 1 kg = __________ lb
9. 1 in = ____________ cm
8. 1 fl oz = _________ mL
10. 1 cup = ___________mL
Complete the following prportions.
11. 8 oz_ = _x oz_
16 T
3T
12. _1 fl oz = _4 fl oz
30 mL
x mL
Solve the following problems. Round your answers to the nearest tenths place, if necessary.
13. A patient voids 150 mL into the specimen cup. How many fluid ounces is this? ________fl oz
Questions 14 – 15: Sam weighed and measured an infant at the clinic today. The baby weighed 8.5
kg and was 60.5 cm long. The baby’s mother wanted to know the baby’s weight in pounds and length
in inches.
14. The baby weighs ___________ lb.
15. The baby’s length is _________ in.
16. A patient received stitches for a laceration that was 5 inches long. Sam needs to record the
length in centimeters in his chart. The wound is __________ cm long.
17. A child threw up 2 cups of fluid in the examination room. How many mL is this? _________
Questions 18 – 20: Sam gave the mother of the sick child a 16 oz bottle of liquid medication and told
her the child should take 30 mL twice a day.
18. How many tablespoons is one dose? ________
19. How many total mL will the child take in one day? ______ How many ounces is this? _______
20. How many days will the bottle of medication last? _________
8
Activity 3: Inventory calculations using metric measurements
One of Sam’s responsibilities is to help maintain the inventory of medications and supplies used at
the clinic. He frequently works with metric units of liters (L) and milliliters (mL) to perform these tasks.
Memorizing the equivalency, 1 L = 1000 mL, helps Sam make the unit conversions and calculations
more efficiently.
When converting liters to milliliters, you may use the shortcut method of moving the decimal point
three places to the right, or you may multiply by 1000. For example, to change 3.5 L to mL:
Kilo------Hecto------Deca-----[liter]------Deci------Centi------Milli
3.5 L = 3500 mL
When converting milliliters to liters, you may use the shortcut method of moving the decimal point
three places to the left, or you may divide by 1000. For example, change 7000 mL to L:
Kilo------Hecto------Deca-----[liter]------Deci------Centi------Milli
7000 mL = _7 L_
Convert the following measurements as indicated.
4500 mL = _______ L
8.5 L = _________mL
10000 mL = _______L
Inventory tasks at the clinic involve adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing unit measurements.
Work through these examples with Sam.
4 L 750 mL
10000 mL
+ 2 L 650 mL
- 3400 mL
6 L 1400 mL = _7.4 L
6600 mL = _6.6 L
2L 300 mL
1750 mL _ = 7 vials
x
4__ _
250 mL/vial
8L 1200 mL = _9.2 L
Help Sam work the following problems, simplifying your answers as indicated.
5 L 250 mL
+ 8 L 950 mL
= _____L
8500 mL
- 750 mL
= ______L
4L 250 mL
x
8___
= ______L
6500 mL = ____btl
500 mL/btl
On Thursday morning, the office manager told Sam she needed to know how many liters of saline
solution the clinic has on hand. Sam counted 6 liter containers in the storage cabinet and 6 vials
containing 350 mL each of saline solution in the patient examination rooms. Since the office manager
needed the amount in liters, Sam followed these steps:
Step 1: Multiply 350 x 6 = _________mL
Step 2: Convert the mL from step 1 into liters: ________L
Step 3: Add the liters from step 2 to 6 liters to get the total: 6 L + ______ L = ______L on hand.
9
Worksheet 3: Inventory Calculations with Metric Units
Name: _________________
Questions 1 and 2: Sam counted 12 liters of hand sanitizer in the storage cabinet. He fills the
dispensers in seven of the examination rooms as follows: 350 mL, 600 mL, 475 mL, 580 mL,
650 mL, 720 mL and 500 mL.
1. How many total milliliters did Sam use to fill the dispensers?
2. After filling the dispensers, how many liters of sanitizer remain in the storage cabinet?
3. Sam helped you prepare 35 sets of injections of dopamine for the clinic this week. Each
injection is 50 milliliters. How many liters of dopamine did the clinic use this week?
4. The clinic used 9 liters 450 milliliters of saline solution during the last 4 weeks. On average,
how many milliliters of saline solution does the clinic use each week?
5. Sam restocked 275 mL of children’s ibuprofen in six of the exam rooms. What is the total
amount of children’s ibuprofen he used in liters?
Questions 6 and 7: The clinic has 3 liters of flu vaccine on hand. Each flu shot consists of 5 milliliters
of the vaccine.
6. Sam needs to know how many 5 milliliter flu injections he can get from the 3 liter container.
7. If the clinic gives 350 flu shots this week, how many liters of the vaccine will be left?
8. Sam needs to refill the ammonium solution dispenser in one of the exam rooms with 1 liter
275 milliliters of the solution. If he fills the dispenser from a 6-liter container, how many liters
of ammonium solution will be left in the container?
Questions 9 and 10: The clinic uses about 15 liters and 500 milliliters of disinfectant cleaner each
month.
9. How many liters of disinfectant does the clinic use in 6 months?
10. After taking inventory, Sam found there was 32.5 L of disinfectant cleaner in the supply
cabinet. How many liters of disinfectant cleaner should Sam order so that the clinic will have
a 6-month supply?
10
Quiz: Using the Metric System
Name: ____________________
Convert the following as indicated.
1. 30 g = _________ mg
3. 6.5 in = _________cm
5. .75 mL = ________L
2. 5 fl oz = _________mL
4. 60 mL = _________T
6. 80 kg = _________lb
Answer the following questions.
7. A liter is the metric base unit of measure for _______________.
8. What is the mnemonic device you can use to remember the order of metric units?
9. An infant’s head circumference is 40 cm. The parents want to know the measurement in
inches. Sam tells the parents the infant’s head circumference is _______ in.
10. As per the doctor’s instructions, a patient weighs himself at home every Friday. He reports
that he weighed 286 pounds last Friday. Sam needs to record the patient’s weight in
kilograms. The patient weighs __________kg.
11. The doctor prescribed 30 mL of a medication per dose for a patient. How many tablespoons
should Sam tell the patient to take per dose? _______T
12. The doctor prescribed 10 mL of Betadine concentrate in 480 mL of warm water as a soak for a
toe infection. Using common household measures, how should Sam instruct the patient to
prepare the solution at home?
13. The total quantity of saline solution on hand at the clinic is 11 liters 750 milliliters. Dr. Sarah
wants the clinic to have a total of 40 liters of saline solution in stock. How many liters of saline
solution does Sam need to order?
14. The clinic has 400 mL of polio vaccine on hand. How many 0.5 mL polio injections can be
prepared from this supply?
15. If Sam has 1 liter 650 milliliters of cleaning solution in each of the eight examinations rooms,
how many liters of cleaner are there in all?
11
Worksheet 1: Metric Measurements & Conversions
Answer Key
Give the metric prefix for the following parts of the base units.
1. 0.001 _____milli___________
3. 0.01 __ centi__________
2. 0.000001 __micro__________
4. 1000 __kilo___________
Identify the metric base unit for the following.
5. Length ___meter____
6. Volume __liter_____
7. Weight __gram______
Write the correct abbreviation for each of the following units.
8. kilogram _kg___
10. liter __L___
12. millimeter __mL__
14. gram __g___
9. meter __m____
11. milligram _mg__
13. centimeter __cm__
15. microgram __mcg_
Which is larger? Circle the correct answer.
16. milligram or kilogram
17. centimeter or millimeter
18. milliliter or liter
Convert the following as indicated.
19. 4500 mL = ___4.5____ L
25. 2.5 g = __2500____ mg
20. 500 mg = _____0.5____ g
26. 40.5 cm = _405____ mm
21. 0.04 L = _____40______mL
27. 3 mg = ___3000___ mcg
22. 800 mL = ____0.8______ L
28. 1.2 g = ___1200____ mg
23. 2 kg = _____2000______g
29. 1.5 L = ___1500_____mL
Questions 29 & 30: The doctor prescribes 500 mg of Amoxicillin to be taken 4 times per day.
29. What is the maximum number of milligrams per day? __2000 mg
30. What is the maximum number of grams per day?
12
___2 g__
Worksheet 2: Converting Measurements
Answer Key
Write the abbreviation or term as indicated for each of the following.
16. pint ___pt____
4. T ___tablespoon___
17. pound _ lb____
5. qt ___quart________
18. drops __gtts__
6. fl oz _fluid ounce____
Complete the following equivalencies.
6. 1 kg = ___2.2____ lb
9. 1 in = ___2.54_____ cm
7. 1 fl oz = __30_____ mL
10. 1 cup = __240______mL
Complete the following prportions.
11. 8 oz_ = _1.5 oz_
16 T
3T
12. _1 fl oz = _4 fl oz
30 mL
120 mL
Solve the following problems. Round your answers to the nearest tenths place, if necessary.
13. A patient voids 150 mL into the specimen cup. How many fluid ounces is this? _5 fl oz_
Questions 14 – 15: Sam weighed and measured an infant at the clinic today. The baby weighed 8.5
kg and was 60.5 cm long. The baby’s mother wanted to know the baby’s weight in pounds and length
in inches.
14. The baby weighs __18.7____ lb.
15. The baby’s length is __24.2___ in.
16. A patient received stitches for a laceration that was 5 inches long. Sam needs to record the
length in centimeters in his chart. The wound is __12.5__ cm long.
17. A child threw up 2 cups of fluid in the examination room. How many mL is this? __480 mL_
Questions 18 – 20: Sam gave the mother of the sick child a 16 oz bottle of liquid medication and told
her the child should take 30 mL twice a day.
18. How many tablespoons is one dose? __2 T____
19. How many total mL will the child take in one day? _60 mL_ How many ounces is this? _2 fl oz_
20. How many days will the bottle of medication last? _8 days_
13
Worksheet 3: Inventory Calculations with Metric Units
Answer Key
Questions 1 and 2: Sam counted 12 liters of hand sanitizer in the storage cabinet. He fills the
dispensers in seven of the examination rooms as follows: 350 mL, 600 mL, 475 mL, 580 mL,
650 mL, 720 mL and 500 mL.
1. How many total milliliters did Sam use to fill the dispensers? 3875 mL
2. After filling the dispensers, how many liters of sanitizer remain in the storage cabinet?
3875 mL = 3.875 L, 12 – 3.875 = 8.125 L
3. Sam helped you prepare 35 sets of injections of dopamine for the clinic this week. Each
injection is 50 milliliters. How many liters of dopamine did the clinic use this week?
35 x 50 = 1750 mL = 1.75 L
4. The clinic used 9 liters 450 milliliters of saline solution during the last 4 weeks. On average,
how many milliliters of saline solution does the clinic use each week?
9 L = 9000 mL, 9450 ÷ 4 = 2362.5 mL
5. Sam restocked 275 mL of children’s ibuprofen in six of the exam rooms. What is the total
amount of children’s ibuprofen he used in liters?
275 x 6 = 1650 mL = 1.65 L
Questions 6 and 7: The clinic has 3 liters of flu vaccine on hand. Each flu shot consists of 5 milliliters
of the vaccine.
6. Sam needs to know how many 5 milliliter flu injections he can get from the 3 liter container.
3 L = 3000 mL, 3000 ÷ 5 = 600 flu injections
7. If the clinic gives 350 flu shots this week, how many liters of the vaccine will be left?
350 x 5 mL/shot = 1750, 3000 – 1750 = 1250 mL = 1.25 L
8. Sam needs to refill the ammonium solution dispenser in one of the exam rooms with 1 liter
275 milliliters of the solution. If he fills the dispenser from a 6-liter container, how many liters
of ammonium solution will be left in the container?
6 – 1.275 = 4.725L
Questions 9 and 10: The clinic uses about 15 liters and 500 milliliters of disinfectant cleaner each
month.
9. How many liters of disinfectant does the clinic use in 6 months?
500 mL = .5 L, 15.5 x 6 = 93 L
10. After taking inventory, Sam found there was 32.5 liters of disinfectant cleaner in the supply
cabinet. How many liters of disinfectant cleaner should Sam order so that the clinic will have
a 6-month supply?
93 – 32.5 = 60.5 L
14
Quiz: Using the Metric System
Answer Key
Convert the following as indicated.
1. 30 g = _30,000 mg
2. 5 fl oz = _150 mL
3. 6.5 in = _16.25 cm
4. 60 mL = __4 T
5. .75 mL = _.00075 L
6. 80 kg = __176 _lb
Answer the following questions.
7. A liter is the metric base unit of measure for __volume .
8. What is the mnemonic device you can use to remember the order of metric units?
King Harry Died from a Disease Called Malaria
9. An infant’s head circumference is 40 cm. The parents want to know the measurement in
inches. Sam tells the parents the infant’s head circumference is _16 in.
10. As per the doctor’s instructions, a patient weighs himself at home every Friday. He reports
that he weighed 286 pounds last Friday. Sam needs to record the patient’s weight in
kilograms. The patient weighs __130 _kg.
11. The doctor prescribed 30 mL of a medication per dose for a patient. How many tablespoons
should Sam tell the patient to take per dose? __2 T
12. The doctor prescribed 10 mL of Betadine concentrate in 480 mL of warm water as a soak for a
toe infection. Using common household measures, how should Sam instruct the patient to
prepare the solution at home? 10 mL = 2 t and 480 mL = 2 cups; Sam should tell the patient
to mix 2 teaspoons of Betadine concentrate in 2 cups of warm water to prepare the solution.
13. The total quantity of saline solution on hand at the clinic is 11 liters 750 milliliters. Dr. Sarah
wants the clinic to have a total of 40 liters of saline solution in stock. How many liters of saline
solution does Sam need to order? Convert 750 mL to .75 L; 40 – 11.75 = 28.25 L
14. The clinic has 400 mL of polio vaccine on hand. How many 0.5 mL polio injections can be
prepared from this supply? 400 ÷ 0.5 = 800 polio injections
15. If Sam counted 1 liter 650 milliliters of cleaning solution in each of the eight examinations
rooms, how many liters of cleaner are there in all?
Convert 650 mL to .65 L; 1.65 x 8 = 13.2 L
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